News

October 31, 2017

Tanner Foust in Las Vegas this week to attend SEMA Show Driver to reveal two new concept vehicles at aftermarket industry showcase

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (October 31, 2017) -- Champion driver and television personality Tanner Foust will be at the SEMA Show this week in Las Vegas with a pair of exciting new show vehicles and a hosting spot on Battle of the Builders during its Friday television taping at SEMA Ignited.

On display with Wheel Pros in the Silver Lot (Booth #61016) is Foust's brand new Volkswagen Atlas overland concept. The vehicle, built under the supervision of the custom truck division of LGE*CTS Motorsports in San Dimas, California, is lifted and has extended fenders to accommodate aggressive KMC XD Series Bully wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires. Built for exploration, the crossover also features auxiliary lights, a luggage rack and underbody protection.

"It's a vehicle that makes me want to get out and have an adventure," said Foust. "I'm looking forward to getting my Volkswagen Atlas back from the SEMA Show and taking an epic road trip. Maybe I'll take the long way home."

Also in the Silver Lot at Nexen Tire (Booth #61012) is Foust's rally inspired Volkswagen Golf GTI. Dubbed the mountune m350TFR, the vehicle was developed in co-operation with renowned performance specialists at mountune.

With strategic upgrades to the intake and exhaust systems, the vehicle now produces 345 boosted horsepower and more than 400 ft-lbs of torque. For handling, the team installed fully adjustable KW coilover suspension and Tarox performance brakes.

"I wanted a GTI that I could street drive reliably, but that still packs a punch," said Foust. "It has been fun to work with my friends at mountune again on this special project for the 2017 SEMA Show."

Foust first met the engineering team at mountune during his early rallycross days, when the company oversaw the engines for the vehicles campaigned by his first team in European Rallycross competition. The company established a base in Southern California early last year to serve the growing American market. This is their first SEMA Show build for Foust.

"One minute we were talking to Tanner about a few crazy ideas, the next we've got a car, some incredible partners lined up and a ridiculous schedule to get this m350TFR built," said David Moore, global brand manager for mountune.

Foust is also slated to sign autographs and greet fans at the ODYSSEY battery display Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. (Booth #24875).

He will close out the week with an appearance on SEMA Battle of the Builders, a competition that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of SEMA vehicle builders. The show tapes for air on Velocity.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry's brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. The 2016 SEMA Show drew more than 70,000 domestic and international buyers.

ABOUT TANNER FOUST

Tanner Foust is a versatile and multi-talented driver known for his supreme car control and a proven track record of podium placements, national championships and world records. He is a three-time U.S. rallycross champion (2012, 2011, 2010) who has also won four X Games gold medals (2013, 2010, 2007), and two Formula Drift championships (2008, 2007).

He has held multiple world records including for the astonishing Hot Wheels Double Loop Dare, which saw Foust drive a car through a 66-foot loop-the-loop. He scored the indoor speed record for TV's Top Gear USA, and set a distance jump record with Hot Wheels when he made a 332' ramp-to-ramp leap in a truck at the Indy 500.

His varied race experience also includes multiple years of open wheel competition, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, rally racing, various types of sports car racing and the SCORE Baja. He has represented the USA in the annual Race of Champions three times, teaming with NASCAR star Carl Edwards in 2008, Travis Pastrana in 2009, and Mick Doohan in 2010.

When he isn't racing, the professional driver also performs on television and handles stunt driving in popular films, TV shows and commercials. He is featured as a stunt driver in Need 4 Speed, as well as other major releases including the Bourne Legacy, Bourne Ultimatum, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Dukes of Hazzard, Red Dawn and Iron Man 2.

ABOUT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, e-Golf, Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan and Touareg vehicles through approximately 652 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

ABOUT ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT
Based in Indianapolis and led by racing legend Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success. Together with Andretti Formula E and Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross, Andretti Autosport fields multiple entries in the IndyCar Series and Indy Lights, along with entries in the FIA Formula E Championship and Global Rallycross. The company boasts four IndyCar Series championships (2004, 2005, 2007, 2012), two Indy Lights titles (2008, 2009), one Pro Mazda championship (2013) and one USF2000 championship (2010) and has captured victory at the famed Indianapolis 500 four times (2005, 2007, 2014, 2016). Additionally the team holds two X Games Gold Medals and one Global Rallycross championship (2015). To share in the Andretti story, please visit online at AndrettiAutosport.com and follow along on Twitter via @FollowAndretti.

ABOUT ROCKSTAR

Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles -- from athletes to rockstars. Available in over 25 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in more than 30 countries, Rockstar supports the rockstar lifestyle across the globe through action sports, motor sports, and live music. More at www.RockstarEnergy.com